# Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (Beis Halevi)

Yosef Dov Soloveitchik (born 1820 in Nesvizh, Minsk Governorate, Russian Empire; died 1 May 1892 in Brest-Litovsk, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire) was the author of Beis Halevi, by which name he is better known among Talmudic scholars. He was the great-grandson of Chaim Volozhin.

## Early years

Yosef Dov Soloveitchik was born to Rivka, a granddaughter of Chaim Volozhin. His father was Yitschok Ze'ev, descendant of Simcha Rappaport.
In his youth, Soloveitchik lived in Brod. One anecdote illustrates his early mastery of rabbinic learning. Shlomo Kluger, the rabbi of Brod, enjoyed engaging in Talmud studies with him. When Soloveitchik was about to leave Brod, Kluger is reputed to have said to him, "You have always resolved my kushyos (difficult Talmudic questions). But I have one difficulty you cannot resolve. How will I manage to part from you?"

## Rosh yeshiva

Soloveitchik was reputed to have one of the great minds of his time. In 1854, he was considered a candidate for rosh yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva, over Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin (the Netziv). Ultimately, Berlin would be selected for the position, with Soloveitchik becoming his assistant. Together, they led the yeshiva until 1865.

## Rabbinate

In 1865, Soloveitchik became rabbi of Slutsk. After assuming this position, he went to visit the cheder classes where the young boys received their education. When he observed the impoverished state of many children, he arranged for lunches to be served there, paid for by the community. His son, Chaim Soloveitchik, once said that while he himself responded to peoples’ needs, his father went further and discovered on his own what their needs were. His pupils in Slutsk included Joseph Rosen, later to gain fame as "the Rogatchover Gaon", Zalman Sender Shapiro and Zvi Hirsch HaKohen Wolk, "the Keser Kehuna".
In 1877, Soloveitchik was overcome by a deep depression because of the incarceration of his highly revered and beloved mentor, Rabbi Yehoshua Leib Diskin, on false charges by the antisemitic authorities.
He was a fierce opponent of the Maskilim, as a result of which he left Slutsk in 1874. He then moved to Warsaw where he lived in poverty. When the rabbi of Brisk, Yehoshua Leib Diskin left for the Land of Israel in 1877, Soloveitchik was offered the rabbinate of Brisk. He continued to hold that position until his death in 1892, when he was succeeded by his son Chaim Soloveitchik. He is buried in Brest, Belarus.

## Works

Soloveitchik composed works on Jewish law (responsa) called Shu"t Beis Halevi, as well as a commentary on the first book and part of the second book of the Bible (Beis Halevi al Hatorah).

## Family tree

vteBrisker family tree :
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | Rabbanit Esti Rosenberg, director of Migdal Oz (seminary) | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | Rabbi Yitzchok Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Torah Vodaas; Rabbi Bais Avrohom, Monsey, NY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov (Reb Berel) Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | Rabbi Avrohom Yehoshua Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein, Co-Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | Rabbi Meshulam Dovid (Reb Dovid) Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | Rabbi Mayer Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ohel Menachem Bet Shemesh | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Yosef Dov (HaLevi) Soloveichik author of Beis HaLevi | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | Rabbi Chaim Soloveichik "Reb Chaim Brisker" | | | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | Rabbi Yitzchak Zev (Reb Velvel) Soloveichik "The GRIZ" The Brisker Rov | | | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | Lifsha Soloveitchik Feinstein | | | | | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | Dr. Tovah Soloveitchik Lichtenstein | | | | | | | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | Rabbi Jonathan Rosenblatt | | | | |
| Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Rabbi Refael Shapiro, Rosh Yeshiva of Volozhin yeshiva | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | Lifsha Shapiro | | | | | | | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Refoel Soloveichik | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt | Tzipporah Rosenblatt |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Soloveichik | | | | | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | Dr. Atarah Soloveitchik Twersky | | | | | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Mosheh Twersky z"l, Maggid Shiur at Yeshiva Toras Moshe | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. (Yosef Dov) Soloveitchik "The Rav" | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky, Talner Rebbe of Boston | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary | Rabbi Mayer Twersky, Rosh Yeshiva at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | | | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | Rabbi Dr. Haym Soloveitchik | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk (Chicago); Rav of Kehilas Beth Sholom Ahavas Achim |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Peshka Feinstein Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | Dr. Samuel Soloveichik | | | | | | | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Eliyahu Soloveichik, Rosh Yeshiva at Lander College's Beis Medrash L'Talmud | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik | Rabbi Meir Yaakov Soloveichik |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | Shulamit Soloveitchik Meiselman | | | | | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | Rabbi Moshe Meiselman, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Toras Moshe | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Soloveichik | | | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | Sarah Orenshein | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | Anne Soloveitchik Gerber | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik, Maggid Shiur at Yeshivat Reishit; Morah D’Asrah of Kehillat Ohr Shalom, Ramat Beit Shemesh | | | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik | Moshe Soloveichik |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | Rabbi Shmuel Chaim Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | Rabbi Yitzchok Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | Rabbi Yisroel Gershon Soloveichik | | | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | Rabbi Moshe Soloveichik | | | | | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | Rabbi Boruch Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | Rabbi Avraham Yeshaya Soloveichik | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | Daughter Soloveichik | | | | | | | | | | |
Notes:
Rabbi Chaim Halevi Soloveichik (the second) :
Soloveitchik was the great-grandfather of the eponymous Joseph B. Soloveitchik and another descendant, Berel Soloveitchik who moved to Israel, both of whom are also known as "Yosef Dov Soloveitchik."